On June 15, 2011, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) distributed a safety warning, stating that a link is suspected between Actos™ users and bladder cancer.

Actos® (Pioglitazone) was originally created by Takeda Pharmaceuticals as a treatment for Type 2 Diabetes. This drug was approved by the FDA for widespread usage in July of 1999. Actos® belongs to the same class of drugs as Avandia (Rosiglitazone).

Recently, users of the drug Actos® have reported serious side effects. These illnesses include bladder cancer, an increased risk of heart attack, and other health issues. It was eventually discovered that these problems were due to a lack of adequate research performed by the drug manufacturer.

The FDA is currently studying an interim report from a 10-year study of the drug, Actos®. According to this report, those patients taking Actos™ for longer periods of time and therefore have a higher cumulative amount of the drug in their bodies, are under the “Increased Risk” category. Studies agree that longer exposure to the drug increases bladder cancer risks.

Because of these various studies completed both here in America and abroad, the FDA was prompted to add an additional warning to the product label.